It is often said that movies can transport you from your seat and into a scene. However, we often wish we could actually visit these places to get a real taste of the exciting adventure and intense action. So, get your passport ready and jot down the following places if you want to travel to some incredible movie locations.
Harry Potter – Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland
“But, Hagrid, there must be a mistake! This says Platform 9 and 3/4. There’s no such thing!
– Harry Potter
As a true Harry Potter fan, I remember every single scene of each movie. And that is why I also remember the scene where Harry and Ron were unable to enter the Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and had to take the flying car. But, do you know that the line that carries the Hogwarts Express from King’s Cross station to Hogsmeade station exists in our world?
The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a railway viaduct found in Scotland and that was built by Lucas and Aird, a civil engineering business that used to operate in the 19th century. However, today the 21-arched viaduct is not known only for its beautiful Scottish Highlands scenery but also because it was used as one of the Harry Potter series locations. And, knowing this will make you sad, but it was also used as the location for Dumbledore’s grave.
Easy Rider – St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans
Easy Rider is not your usual happy-go-lucky movie, but this seminal 1969 movie focuses rather on hippies en route to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. And, one sequence that was shot by Dennis Hopper, the director of the movie, is based on a real location: St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
The Saint Louis Cemetery, constructed between the 18th and 19th centuries, is found in Louisiana. This cemetery is among the oldest and scariest ones, as it is the burial site of Marie Laveau. This Louisiana Creole voodoo practitioner was renowned for her occult magic practice, earning her a legacy in arts and pop culture. Many people believe that even after her death, she continues to practice her magic from beyond the grave. However, apart from Marie Laveau, this cemetery also consists of the graves of other prominent figures such as Paul Morphy, a chess prodigy and Bernard de Marigny, a French-Creole aristocrat.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is regarded as one of the most haunted cemeteries in the United States and there have been numerous reports of people coming face to face with ghosts. Even in this modern world, many individuals try to access this cemetery at night to make contact with people from the other world.
This spooky cemetery was also featured in Walt Disney’s famous animated movie “The Princess and the Frog.” If it looked that scary in a cartoon, imagine how much worse will it be in real life. So, for all those who claim to have lion hearts, I actually dare you to go and visit this place. Oh, and of course, not during the day, but at night, when the darkness falls and ghosts come out from their lairs.
Island of the Dolls – The Island of the Dolls, Mexico
As the name suggests, the movie is based on an island full of dolls where mysterious murders have been taking place and when a journalist decides to investigate on her own. If your blood ran cold while watching the movie, then I wonder what can happen to you if you visit the real location. I don’t know if I should say fortunately or unfortunately, but the Island of dolls is a real place.
Found near Mexico City, the Dolls Island has been named one of the world’s scariest tourist attractions. As the name suggests, it is an island full of horrific dolls of different styles and colours, hanging from trees and wooden shacks. However, the story of the island is as spooky as the dolls themselves. So, let’s learn more about it!
In the 1950s, a Mexican man called Don Julian Santana Barrera was the owner of that island. One day while walking around the island, he discovered the body of a young girl who had drowned and was entangled among the lilies of the canal. Suddenly, a doll washed up on the shore and thinking that it used to belong to the girl, Don Julian hang it on a tree as a sign of respect to the deceased. And, now the real story begins! Soon after Don Julian started to feel the presence of a spirit roaming around the island and following him. Out of fear, he began to gather dolls from garbage or canals and hung them on trees. He kept on looking for more dolls as he used to believe that the dolls would satisfy the troubled spirit of the girl who repeatedly cried out: “I want my doll!”
Unfortunately, the story took a sinister turn when in 2001, Don Julian’s body was found drowned in that same canal where the girl died. Despite his family members’ statements saying that there was no such spirit on the island, many claimed that the dolls, inhabited by evil spirits, were the ones to murder him.
Many people who visited the island said they actually saw the dolls’ heads turn to look at them. Other visitors have heard whispers coming from the dolls.
So, to all the courageous people who decide to go there, don’t forget to bring a doll with you!
So, as a film buff, will you travel to these amazing real movie locations? Please share your comments!
